Electronic apparatus activation control apparatus, electronic apparatus activation control system, electronic apparatus activation control method, and program

ABSTRACT

An electronic apparatus activation control apparatus includes a communication unit and a data processing unit. The communication unit is configured to perform communication via a network. The data processing unit is configured to output an activation instruction to a network apparatus connected to the network through the communication unit. The data processing unit recognizes a state transition from a non-active state to an active state of the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus and outputs the activation instruction to the network apparatus on the basis of recognition of the state transition.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus activationcontrol apparatus, an electronic apparatus activation control system, anelectronic apparatus activation control method, and a program. Inparticular, the present disclosure relates to an electronic apparatusactivation control apparatus, an electronic apparatus activation controlsystem, an electronic apparatus activation control method, and a programfor controlling activation of electronic apparatuses connected to anetwork.

Today, various electronic apparatuses are used in homes and offices. Forexample, in a house, there are a large number of electronic apparatusessuch as a TV, an air conditioner, a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark)disk) recorder, and a PC, and those apparatuses are used.

In many cases, those electronic apparatuses are activated by inserting apower plug in a socket in a house and turning on a switch thereof toactivate the apparatuses, and thus the apparatuses can be used.

However, some electronic apparatuses take time to be actually usableafter being turned on. For example, in many cases, for apparatuses suchas a PC and a BD recorder, after a user operates a switch of theapparatus to turn on the apparatus, an activation process for theapparatus is started. During the activation process, the user has towait until the apparatus becomes usable.

Such a situation is inconvenient in the case where, for example, theuser wants to use an electronic apparatus immediately after coming home.

To eliminate a standby time for the user, there is a measure that thoseapparatuses are always on, but this measure causes a problem ofincreasing power consumption.

As related art that discloses power control for an electronic apparatus,the followings have been proposed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2010-186491 (hereinafter,referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses the structure in whichturning on and off of a plurality of PCs which are network-connectedwith a NAS (network attached storage) as a storage apparatus isperformed in conjunction with an on and off operation of one PC.

However, in this method, it is necessary to turn on or off at least oneof the PCs network-connected. As a result, when a user wants to use onePC, the user turns on the PC, and after that, activation of the PC isstarted. The user has to wait until the activation process of the PC iscompleted.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-244157 (hereinafter,referred to as Patent Document 2) discloses a system capable ofperforming power control for a plurality of apparatuses with oneapparatus by transmitting and receiving power activation packets amongthe plurality of network-connected apparatuses.

However, in this system, it is necessary for all the network-connectedapparatuses to hold an apparatus list as packet transmissiondestinations. This structure is unsuitable to apparatuses havingrestrictions for a memory or the like.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2010-186491 (hereinafter,referred to as Patent Document 3) discloses the structure in which apower supply of a fax machine connected to a PC is controlled inconjunction with an on and off state of a power supply of the PC,thereby reducing power consumption of the fax machine.

However, the structure is a control system based on the fact that thefax machine is not used when the PC is not used, and is not for powercontrol among irrelevant apparatuses.

SUMMARY

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, it is desirable to providean electronic apparatus activation control apparatus, an electronicapparatus activation control system, an electronic apparatus activationcontrol method, and a program for performing power control for variouselectronic apparatuses on the basis of a user operation and a statetransition, thereby achieving lower power consumption and improvement ofuser's convenience.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan electronic apparatus activation control apparatus including acommunication unit configured to perform communication via a network anda data processing unit configured to output an activation instruction toa network apparatus connected to the network through the communicationunit. The data processing unit recognizes a state transition from anon-active state to an active state of the electronic apparatusactivation control apparatus and outputs the activation instruction tothe network apparatus on the basis of recognition of the statetransition.

Further, in the embodiment of the electronic apparatus activationcontrol apparatus according to the present disclosure, the dataprocessing unit periodically performs a state detection of theelectronic apparatus activation control apparatus, and in the case wherethe electronic apparatus activation control apparatus maintains to be inthe active state, periodically outputs the activation instruction to thenetwork apparatus.

Further, in the embodiment of the electronic apparatus activationcontrol apparatus according to the present disclosure, the dataprocessing unit periodically performs a state detection of theelectronic apparatus activation control apparatus, and when recognizingthat the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus shifts fromthe active state to the non-active state, stops outputting of theactivation instruction to the network apparatus.

Further, in the embodiment of the electronic apparatus activationcontrol apparatus according to the present disclosure, in the statetransition from the non-active state to the active state, the dataprocessing unit determines one of an apparatus and a user that causesthe state transition, selects the network apparatus to be activated onthe basis of a determination result, and outputs the activationinstruction for activating only the network apparatus selected.

Further, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicapparatus activation control apparatus is an illumination switch. In theelectronic apparatus activation control apparatus, the data processingunit recognizes an operation of turning on the illumination switch by auser as the state transition from the non-active state to the activestate of the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus andoutputs the activation instruction to the network apparatus on the basisof the recognition of the state transition.

Further, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicapparatus activation control apparatus is an illumination switch. In theelectronic apparatus activation control apparatus, the data processingunit recognizes an operation of turning off the illumination switch by auser as the state transition from the active state to the non-activestate of the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus and stopsoutputting of the activation instruction to the network apparatus on thebasis of the recognition of the state transition.

Further, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicapparatus activation control apparatus is an access point serving as arelay apparatus of a communication apparatus. In the electronicapparatus activation control apparatus, the data processing unitrecognizes a detection of the communication apparatus that performscommunication through the access point from a communication possiblearea as the state transition from the non-active state to the activestate of the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus andoutputs the activation instruction to the network apparatus on the basisof the recognition of the state transition.

Further, in the embodiment of the electronic apparatus activationcontrol apparatus according to the present disclosure, the dataprocessing unit identifies the communication apparatus, selects thenetwork apparatus to be activated on the basis of an identificationresult, and outputs the activation instruction for activating only thenetwork apparatus selected.

Further, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicapparatus activation control apparatus is an access point serving as arelay apparatus of a communication apparatus. In the electronicapparatus activation control apparatus, the data processing unitrecognizes a non-detection of the communication apparatus that performscommunication through the access point from a communication possiblearea as the state transition from the active state to the non-activestate of the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus and stopsoutputting of the activation instruction to the network apparatus on thebasis of a recognition of the state transition.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided an electronic apparatus activation control system including anetwork apparatus connected to a network and a network apparatusactivation device. The network apparatus activation device is configuredto output an activation instruction to the network apparatus via thenetwork, and the network apparatus activation device includes acommunication unit configured to perform communication via the networkand a data processing unit configured to output the activationinstruction to the network apparatus connected to the network throughthe communication unit. The data processing unit recognizes a statetransition from a non-active state to an active state of the networkapparatus activation device and outputs the activation instruction tothe network apparatus on the basis of recognition of the statetransition.

Further, in the embodiment of the electronic apparatus activationcontrol system according to the present disclosure, in response toreception of the activation instruction from the network apparatusactivation device, the network apparatus performs a transition processfrom a standby state in which a reception detection of the activationinstruction is possible to an activation state in which an apparatusmain operation is possible.

Further, in the embodiment of the electronic apparatus activationcontrol system according to the present disclosure, the networkapparatus periodically detects the reception of the activationinstruction from the network apparatus activation device, and when thereception detection of the activation instruction is stopped in theperiodical detection process, performs the transition process from theactivation state to the standby state.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided an electronic apparatus activation control method performed byan electronic apparatus activation control apparatus. The electronicapparatus activation control apparatus includes a communication unitconfigured to perform communication via a network and a data processingunit configured to output an activation instruction to a networkapparatus connected to the network through the communication unit. Thedata processing unit recognizes a state transition from a non-activestate to an active state of the electronic apparatus activation controlapparatus and outputs the activation instruction to the networkapparatus on the basis of recognition of the state transition.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a program causing an electronic apparatus activation controlapparatus to execute an electronic apparatus activation control process.The electronic apparatus activation control apparatus includes acommunication unit configured to perform communication via a network anda data processing unit configured to output an activation instruction toa network apparatus connected to the network through the communicationunit. The program causes the data processing unit to recognize a statetransition from a non-active state to an active state of the electronicapparatus activation control apparatus and output the activationinstruction to the network apparatus on the basis of recognition of thestate transition.

It should be noted that the program according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure is a program which can be provided by a recordingmedium or a communication medium for providing the program to aninformation processing apparatus or a computer system that can executevarious program codes in a computer-readable form. By providing theprogram in the computer-readable form, the process in accordance withthe program is executed in the information processing apparatus or thecomputer system.

Other features or advantages of the present disclosure will be revealedby a detailed description based on the embodiment of the presentdisclosure to be described later and attached drawings. It should benoted that in the specification, a system refers to a logical complexstructure of a plurality of apparatuses, and the apparatuses of thestructure is not limited to be in the same casing.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatusand the method that perform the activation control for the electronicapparatus for achieving the power saving and improving the user'sconvenience are attained.

Specifically, the network apparatus that is network-connected and thenetwork apparatus activation device that outputs the activationinstruction to the network apparatus are provided. The network apparatusactivation device includes the communication unit that performscommunication via the network and the data processing unit that outputsthe activation instruction to the network. The data processing unitrecognizes the state transition from the non-active state to the activestate of the network apparatus activation device and outputs theactivation instruction to the network apparatus on the basis of therecognition of the state transition. In response to the reception of theactivation instruction, the network apparatus performs the transitionprocess from the standby state in which the reception detection of theactivation instruction is performed to the activation state in which theapparatus main operation can be performed.

With this structure, the apparatus and the method that perform theactivation control for the electronic apparatus for achieving the powersaving and improving the user's convenience are attained.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of best mode embodiments thereof, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a home network to which aprocess of the present disclosure can be applied;

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining state transitions and processes ofnetwork apparatuses and a network apparatus activation device thatperforms the process of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a basic process sequence of the networkapparatus activation device;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a basic process sequence of the networkapparatus;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the apparatus structure in thecase where the network apparatus activation device is an illuminationswitch;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process sequence in the case where thenetwork apparatus activation device is the illumination switch;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the apparatus structure in thecase where the network apparatus activation device is an access point(AP) such as a router;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process sequence in the case where thenetwork apparatus activation device is the access point (AP) such as therouter;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a registration list forperforming an activation process only for a selected network apparatus;and

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware structure of thenetwork apparatus and the network apparatus activation device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an electronic apparatus activation control apparatus, anelectronic apparatus activation control system, an electronic apparatusactivation control method, and a program of the present disclosure willbe described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should benoted that the description will be given in the following order.

1. About example of entire structure of electronic apparatus activationcontrol system

2. About basic process sequence of network apparatus activation device

3. About basic process sequence of network apparatus

4. About specific process example in case where network apparatusactivation device is illumination switch

5. About specific process example in case where network apparatusactivation device is access point (AP)

6. About output process specific example of activation instruction andmodification example thereof.

7. About example of hardware structure of apparatuses

8. Conclusion of structure of present disclosure

(1. About Example of Entire Structure of Electronic Apparatus ActivationControl System)

Hereinafter, the structure of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

First, with reference to FIG. 1 and the like, an example of an entirestructure of an electronic apparatus activation control system will bedescribed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a home network 10.

There are various electronic apparatuses in a house.

For example, a communication terminal 11, an access point (AP) 12 suchas a router which is wirelessly connected (Wi-Fi) with the communicationterminal, an illumination switch 13, a TV 21, an air conditioner 22, aPC 23, a BD recorder 24, an illumination 25, and the like are provided.

Many of those apparatuses have the structure connected to each other viaa network 30.

In the following description, an apparatus capable of performingcommunication via the network 30 is referred to as a “networkapparatus”.

One of the network apparatuses functions as a “network apparatusactivation device” that performs power control for the other networkapparatuses.

The “network apparatus activation device” outputs an activationinstruction to the other “network apparatuses” via the network 30 by auser operation or a state transition as a trigger.

The “network apparatus” that has received the activation instructionfrom the “network apparatus activation device” shifts to an activationstate when not in the activation state at the time of receiving theactivation instruction.

It should be noted that the network apparatus is set to be in a state inwhich a reception detection function for the activation instruction viathe network is executable regardless of whether the network apparatus isin the activation state or not.

However, in the case where the network apparatus is not in theactivation state, a main function other than the reception detectionfunction for the activation instruction is in an off state, and theapparatus is set to a standby state (standby mode) in which powerconsumption is minimized.

That is, the network apparatus shifts between the following two states(modes) in response to the reception of the activation instruction fromthe network apparatus activation device.

(1) standby state (standby mode): with the reception detection functionfor the activation instruction

(2) activation state: with both of the main function of the apparatusand the reception detection function for the activation instruction

It should be noted that the network apparatus activation device thatoutputs the activation instruction to the network apparatuses has thefollowing two states.

(1) non-active state: a state of not outputting the activationinstruction

(2) active state: a state of outputting the activation instruction

The above two states are held.

The transition between the two states is carried out by a specific useroperation, communication between the network apparatus activation deviceand another device, a transition of the state of the apparatus, or thelike as a trigger.

For example, in the case where the illumination switch 13 shown in FIG.1 is the network apparatus activation device, when a user operates theillumination switch 13 to set a state thereof from off to on, theillumination switch 13 shifts from the non-active state to the activestate and outputs the activation instruction to the network apparatuses.

It should be noted that when in the active state, the network apparatusactivation device periodically outputs the activation instruction to thenetwork apparatuses.

During the periodical reception of the activation instruction from thenetwork apparatus activation device, the network apparatuses maintainthe activation state. In the case where the reception of the periodicalactivation instruction from the network apparatus activation device isstopped, and the network apparatuses do not receive the activationinstruction and a user operation for a preset period, the networkapparatuses shift to the standby state.

A specific sequence thereof will be described later.

Further, for example, in the case where the access point (AP) 12 such asthe router shown in FIG. 1 is the network apparatus activation device,when the access point (AP) 12 confirms a connection or an access of thecommunication terminal 11, the access point (AP) 12 shifts from thenon-active state to the active state and outputs the activationinstruction to the network apparatuses at the state transition timepoint.

It should be noted that when in the active state, the network apparatusactivation device periodically outputs the activation instruction to thenetwork apparatuses.

As described above, various network apparatuses can be the networkapparatus activation device.

State transition processes of the network apparatus activation deviceand the network apparatuses will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a network apparatus activation device 101 and a pluralityof network apparatuses (network apparatus A, 121-A to network apparatusN, 121-N).

Those have the structure which allows communication via a network 130.

The network apparatus activation device 101 has the following twostates:

(S11) non-active state: a state of not outputting the activationinstruction, and

(S12) active state: a state of outputting the activation instruction.

The transition between the two states is caused by a specific useroperation or a transition of the apparatus state.

On the other hand, the network apparatuses 121-A to 121-N have thefollowing two states:

(S21) standby state (standby mode): with the reception detectionfunction for the activation instruction, and

(S22) activation state: with both of the main function of the apparatusand the reception detection function for the activation instruction.

The network apparatuses shift between the two states (modes) in responseto the reception of the activation instruction from the networkapparatus activation device.

(2. About Basic Process Sequence of Network Apparatus Activation Device)

Subsequently, a basic process sequence of the network apparatusactivation device that outputs the activation instruction to the networkapparatuses will be described with reference to a flowchart shown inFIG. 3.

It should be noted that the process along the flowchart shown in FIG. 3is performed in a data processing unit formed by a CPU and the likehaving a program execution function of the network apparatus activationdevice in accordance with a program stored in a memory of the networkapparatus activation device.

First, in Step S101, the network apparatus activation device is in anon-active state (Non-Active). The non-active state is a state in whichthe activation instruction is not output.

Next, in Step S102, the network apparatus activation device is set to anactive state (Active). The active state is a state in which theactivation instruction is periodically output to the networkapparatuses.

A transition condition from the non-active state in Step S101 to theactive state in Step S102 is different depending on a kind of thenetwork apparatus activation device.

Specifically, as described above, if the network apparatus activationdevice is the illumination switch 13 shown in FIG. 1, the networkapparatus activation device shifts from the non-active state to theactive state by being turned on by a user.

Further, if the network apparatus activation device is the access point(AP) 12 shown in FIG. 1, the network apparatus activation device shiftsfrom the non-active state to the active state by a connection detectionof the communication terminal 11.

In Step S102, when the network apparatus activation device shifts to theactive state, the network apparatus activation device outputs theactivation instruction to the network apparatuses in Step S103.

After that, in Step S104, the network apparatus activation device is ina standby state for a preset time period.

Then, in Step S105, it is determined whether the network apparatusactivation device is maintained to be in the active state or not.

In the case where the network apparatus activation device is maintainedto be in the active state, the process returns to Step 103, and theactivation instruction is repeatedly output to the network apparatuses.

In this way, in the case where the network apparatus activation deviceis maintained to be in the active state, the activation instruction isperiodically output to the network apparatuses.

On the other hand, in Step S105, when it is determined that the networkapparatus activation device is not maintained to be in the active state,the process returns to Step S101, and the network apparatus activationdevice is maintained to be the non-active state in which the activationinstruction is not output.

(3. About Basic Process Sequence of Network Apparatus)

Next, a basic process sequence of a network apparatus to which thenetwork apparatus activation device inputs the activation instructionwill be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 4.

It should be noted that the process along the flowchart shown in FIG. 4is performed by the data processing unit formed by the CPU and the likehaving a program execution function of the network apparatus inaccordance with the program stored in the memory of the networkapparatus.

First, in Step S151, the network apparatus is in a standby state(Standby). The standby state is an off state of the main function of thenetwork apparatus. But the network apparatus has the input detectionfunction for the activation instruction.

Next, in Step S152, it is determined whether the network apparatusreceives the activation instruction output from the network apparatusactivation device or not. If the network apparatus does not receive theactivation instruction, the standby state (Standby) in Step S151 ismaintained.

On the other hand, in Step S152, if it is determined that the networkapparatus receives the activation instruction output from the networkapparatus activation device, the process proceeds to Step S153.

In Step S153, the network apparatus performs the activation process andshifts to the activation state (Active).

The activation state is the state in which the main function of thenetwork apparatus can be executed. It should be noted that in theactivation state, the state in which the reception detection of theactivation instruction can be performed is also maintained.

In Step S154, when the network apparatus is in a standby state for aprescribed time period, the process returns to Step S152 to determinewhether a new activation instruction from the network apparatusactivation device is received or not.

In the case where the activation instruction is received in theprescribed time period, the process proceeds to Step S153, and theactivation state is maintained.

In the case where the reception of the activation instruction iscontinued within the prescribed time period, a loop of Step S152 to S154is repeatedly performed, and the network apparatus maintains theactivation state.

On the other hand, after the prescribed time period elapses in StepS154, when it is determined that the new activation instruction from thenetwork apparatus activation device is not received, the process returnsto Step S151, and the network apparatus shifts to the standby state.

It should be noted that the process sequence of Steps S154 to S151 viaStep S152 corresponds to a process sequence generated in the case where,when the network apparatus activation device is the illumination switch13 shown in FIG. 1, the user turns off the illumination switch 13, andthe output of the activation instruction from the network apparatusactivation device (illumination switch 13) is stopped.

By performing the above-mentioned process, it is possible to set thenetwork apparatus to a usable state instantly when necessary withoutgenerating wasted power consumption.

(4. About Specific Process Example in Case where Network ApparatusActivation Device is Illumination Switch)

Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a specific process example in thecase where the network apparatus activation device is the illuminationswitch will be described.

A home network structure as shown in FIG. 5 is considered.

That is, the network apparatus activation device is an illuminationswitch 201.

The network apparatuses are a TV 211, an air conditioner 212, a PC 213,a BD recorder 214, and the like.

The illumination switch 201 as the network apparatus activation deviceand the TV 211, the air conditioner 212, the PC 213, the BD recorder214, and the like as the network apparatuses are connected and can becommunicated with each other via a network.

The illumination switch 201 outputs the activation instruction to the TV211, the air conditioner 212, the PC 213, the BD recorder 214, and thelike as the network apparatuses via the network.

For example, when a user performs an operation to turn on theillumination switch 201, the illumination switch 201 shifts from thenon-active state (Non-Active) to the active state (Active).

In the case where the illumination switch 201 is in the active state(Active), the illumination switch 201 repeatedly outputs the activationinstruction to the TV 211, the air conditioner 212, the PC 213, the BDrecorder 214, and the like as the network apparatuses via the networkevery certain time period.

Upon reception of the activation instruction from the illuminationswitch 201 as the network apparatus activation device, the TV 211, theair conditioner 212, the PC 213, the BD recorder 214, and the like asthe network apparatuses shift from the standby state to the activationstate when in the standby state. When in the activation state, thenetwork apparatuses maintain the activation state.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart (A) of the basic processsequence of the network apparatus activation device described above withreference to FIG. 3 and a flowchart (B) of a specific process sequencein the case where the network apparatus activation device is theillumination switch with the flowcharts (A) and (B) associated with eachother.

The flowchart (A) is described above with reference to FIG. 3.

Steps S121 to S125 shown in the flowchart (B) in the case where thenetwork apparatus activation device is the illumination switchcorrespond to the processes of Steps S101 to S105 of the flowchart (A).

Processes of Steps S121 to S125 shown in the flowchart (B) in the casewhere the network apparatus activation device is the illumination switchwill be described.

First, in Step S121, the illumination switch 201 as the networkapparatus activation device is in an off state and in the non-activestate (Non-Active). The non-active state is a state in which theactivation instruction is not output.

Then, in Step S122, the illumination switch 201 as the network apparatusactivation device is set to the active state (Active). That is, theillumination switch 201 is turned on by a user operation. The activestate is a state in which the activation instruction is periodicallyoutput to the network apparatuses.

In Step S122, when the illumination switch 201 as the network apparatusactivation device shifts to the active state, the illumination switch201 as the network apparatus activation device then outputs theactivation instruction to the network apparatuses in Step S123.

In this example, the activation instruction is output to the TV 211, theair conditioner 212, the PC 213, the BD recorder 214, and the like.

After that, the illumination switch 201 as the network apparatusactivation device is brought into a standby state for a preset timeperiod in Step S124.

Further, it is determined whether the illumination switch 201 as thenetwork apparatus activation device is maintained to be in the activestate or not in Step S125.

In the case where the illumination switch 201 as the network apparatusactivation device is in the active state, the process returns to StepS123, and the illumination switch 201 repeatedly outputs the activationinstruction to the network apparatuses.

In the case where the illumination switch 201 as the network apparatusactivation device is in the active state, that is, in the on state, theactivation instruction is periodically output to the networkapparatuses, that is, to the TV 211, the air conditioner 212, the PC213, the BD recorder 214, and the like.

On the other hand, in Step S125, in the case where it is determined thatthe illumination switch 201 as the network apparatus activation deviceis not in the active state, that is, the illumination switch 201 is setto off, the process returns to Step S121, and the illumination switch201 as the network apparatus activation device is set to the non-activestate in which the activation instruction is not output.

(5. About Specific Process Example in Case where Network ApparatusActivation Device is Access Point (AP))

Next, with reference to FIG. 7 and the following figures, a specificprocess example in the case where the network apparatus activationdevice is the access point (AP) such as a router will be described.

A home network structure as shown in FIG. 7 is considered.

That is, the network apparatus activation device is an access point (AP)302 such as a router for network-connecting a communication terminal301.

The network apparatuses are a TV 311, an air conditioner 312, a PC 313,a BD recorder 314, and the like.

The access point (AP) 302 as the network apparatus activation device andthe TV 311, the air conditioner 312, the PC 313, the BD recorder 314,and the like as the network apparatuses are connected and can becommunicated with each other via a network.

The access point (AP) 302 outputs the activation instruction to the TV311, the air conditioner 312, the PC 313, the BD recorder 314, and thelike as the network apparatuses via the network.

For example, if the access point (AP) 302 succeeds in a detection of thecommunication terminal 301, the access point (AP) 302 shifts from thenon-active state (Non-Active) to the active state (Active).

The communication terminal 301 is a terminal registered in advance as aterminal that permits communication via the access point (AP) 302.

In the case where the registered terminal enters a communicationpossible area of the access point (AP) 302, and the access point (AP)302 recognizes the communication terminal 301, the access point (AP) 302shifts from the non-active state (Non-Active) to the active state(Active).

When the access point (AP) 302 is in the active state (Active), theaccess point (AP) 302 repeatedly outputs the activation instruction tothe TV 311, the air conditioner 312, the PC 313, the BD recorder 314,and the like as the network apparatuses via the network every certaintime period.

Upon reception of the activation instruction from the access point (AP)302 as the network apparatus activation device, the TV 311, the airconditioner 312, the PC 313, the BD recorder 314, and the like as thenetwork apparatuses shift from the standby state to the activation statewhen those apparatuses are in the standby state, or maintains theactivation state when those apparatuses are in the activation state.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flowchart (A) of the basic processsequence of the network apparatus activation device described above withreference to FIG. 3 and a flowchart (B) of a specific process sequencein the case where the network apparatus activation device is the accesspoint (AP) with the flowcharts (A) and (B) associated with each other.

The flowchart (A) is described above with reference to FIG. 3.

Steps S131 to S132 shown in the flowchart (B) in the case where thenetwork apparatus activation device is the access point (AP) correspondto the processes of Steps S101 to S102 of the flowchart (A), and StepsS134 to S136 shown in the flowchart (B) correspond to the processes ofSteps S103 to S105 of the flowchart (A).

In this embodiment, a process of Step S133 is a process unique to thisembodiment.

The processes of Steps S131 to S136 of the flowchart (B) in the casewhere the network apparatus activation device is the access point (AP)will be described.

First, in Step S131, the access point (AP) 302 as the network apparatusactivation device does not detect the communication terminal 301registered and is in the non-active state (Non-Active). The non-activestate is a state in which the activation instruction is not output.

Then, in Step S132, the access point (AP) 302 as the network apparatusactivation device detects the communication terminal 301 registered andis set to the active state (Active). That is, the communication terminal301 registered enters the communication possible area of the accesspoint (AP) and is brought into a communication possible state with theaccess point (AP) 302. The active state is the state in which theactivation instruction is periodically output to the networkapparatuses.

The process of Step S133 is unique to this embodiment.

In Step S133, the access point (AP) 302 as the network apparatusactivation device refers to register information relating to thecommunication terminal 301 set in the communication possible state withthe access point (AP) 302.

In a memory in the access point (AP) 302, the register information shownin FIG. 9 is recorded, for example.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the register information (list) is providedwhich makes it possible to identify network apparatuses to be activatedand MAC addresses thereof for a plurality of communication terminalsthat are permitted to perform communication through the access point(AP) 302.

The access point (AP) 302 as the network apparatus activation devicefirst obtains communication terminal identification information receivedfrom the communication terminal 301 and confirms that the communicationterminal 301 is a communication permitted terminal.

After that, on the basis of the communication terminal identificationinformation received from the communication terminal 301, the accesspoint 302 selects an entry corresponding to the identification terminalfrom the register information shown in FIG. 9 and selects a networkapparatus to be activated recorded in the entry.

For example, in the case where the communication terminal 301 is acommunication terminal of a user A shown in FIG. 9, the networkapparatuses to be activated are a TV, an air conditioner, a PC, and a BDrecorder.

Further, for example, in the case where the communication terminal 301is a communication terminal of a user B shown in FIG. 9, the networkapparatus to be activated is only the TV.

Further, for example, in the case where the communication terminal 301is a communication terminal of a user C shown in FIG. 9, the networkapparatuses to be activated are the PC and the BD recorder.

The activation network apparatus information is registered in advance tothe access point (AP) 302 as the network apparatus activation device andstored in the memory.

In Step S133, the access point (AP) 302 as the network apparatusactivation device refers to the register information relating to thecommunication terminal 301 set to be the communication possible statewith the access point (AP) 302, that is, the register information shownin FIG. 9, for example and selects the network apparatus to beactivated.

In Step S134, the access point (AP) 302 as the network apparatusactivation device outputs the activation instruction to the networkapparatus selected in Step S133. For example, an activation instructionpacket which makes it possible to identify the apparatus to be activatedby applying the MAC address of the apparatus selected is transmitted.

In this embodiment, the activation instruction is transmitted as anactivation instruction effective to a specific selected apparatus.

That is, in shifting from the non-active state to the active state, theaccess point (AP) 302 as the network apparatus activation deviceidentifies the apparatus or the user that causes the shift in the state,selects the network apparatus to be an activation target in accordancewith the identification result, and outputs the activation instructionfor activating only the selected network apparatus.

It should be noted that, to transmit the activation instruction foractivating only the selected apparatus, some methods can be provided.For example, either one of the following processes may be performed.

(A) An address corresponding to the selected apparatus is set, and theactivation instruction packet is transmitted only to the selectedapparatus. In this case, only the apparatus that receives the packetperforms the activation process.

(B) An activation instruction packet in which identifiers of theapparatuses to be activated are described is transmitted to each of theapparatuses, and when checking the apparatus identifiers and confirmingthat the apparatus identifier of its own is recorded, the apparatus thathas received the packet performs activation.

For example, by performing either one of the processes (A) and (B), itis possible to activate only the selected apparatus.

After that, the access point (AP) 302 as the network apparatusactivation device stands by for a preset time period in Step S135.

Further, it is determined whether the access point (AP) 302 as thenetwork apparatus activation device maintains the active state or not inStep S136.

In the case where the access point (AP) 302 as the network apparatusactivation device is maintained to be in the active state, the processreturns to Step S134, and the access point (AP) 302 repeatedly outputsthe activation instruction to the network apparatus selected.

In the case where the access point (AP) 302 as the network apparatusactivation device is maintained to be in the active state, that is, inthe on state, the activation instruction is periodically output to theselected network apparatus.

On the other hand, in Step S136, if it is determined that the accesspoint (AP) 302 as the network apparatus activation device is notmaintained to be in the active state, that is, the access point (AP) 302is difficult to detect the communication terminal 301, the processreturns to Step S131, and the access point (AP) 302 as the networkapparatus activation device is set to the non-active state in which theactivation instruction is not output.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to select thenetwork apparatus to be activated for each of the users who use thecommunication terminals.

(6. About Output Process Specific Example of Activation Instruction andModification Example Thereof)

In the above embodiment, the activation instruction output to thenetwork apparatuses can be transmitted with the activation instructionstored in a general communication packet.

In addition, for example, a magic packet developed by AMD (AdvancedMicro Devices, Inc.) can be used.

In the structure in which the magic packet is used, the networkapparatus activation device holds the list of the MAC addresses of thenetwork apparatuses as described above with reference to FIG. 9 andtransmits the magic packet in which the MAC address described in thelist is set as a destination. Through this process, it is possible tooutput the activation instruction to the network apparatuses.

Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 9, the structure inwhich the activation instruction is transmitted only to the specificselected apparatus may be used.

It should be noted that the list of the MAC addresses may be created atthe time of initial setting of the network apparatus activation deviceand may be periodically updated at the time of the active state shift.

On the other hand, the network apparatus activates the apparatus itselfat the time of receiving the magic packet on the basis of the packetreceived.

Further, in the above embodiment, as the examples of the networkapparatus activation device, the illumination switch and the accesspoint (AP) are given, but various other apparatuses can be used as thenetwork apparatus activation device.

Any device can be used for the network apparatus activation device, aslong as the device is capable of taking part in the network. Forexample, a key of a house having a communication function, a motionsensor for crime prevention, an authentication type socket, or the likemay be used.

Further, a communication terminal such as a mobile phone may access thenetwork apparatus activation device (such as the access point) in ahouse via a mobile line, thereby secondarily transmitting the activationinstruction. In this case, the communication terminal itself functionsas the network apparatus activation device.

It should be noted that the network is not limited to the IP-basednetwork, and another communication infrastructure such as IR can beused.

(7. About Example of Hardware Structure of Apparatuses)

With reference to FIG. 10, an example of the hardware structure of theapparatuses that performs the above-described processes.

FIG. 10 is an example of the hardware structure of an informationprocessing apparatus which can be used as the network apparatusactivation device or the network apparatus.

A CPU (central processing unit) 701 functions as a data processing unitthat performs the various processes on the basis of a program stored ina ROM (read only memory) 702 or a storage unit 708. For example, theprocesses based on the above-described sequences are performed. In a RAM(random access memory) 703, a program, data, and the like to be executedby the CPU 701 are stored. The CPU 701, the ROM 702, and the RAM 703 areconnected to each other through a bus 704.

The CPU 701 is connected to an input and output interface 705 via thebus 704. To the input and output interface 705, an input unit 706 suchas various switches, a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone and an outputunit 707 such as a display and a speaker are connected. The CPU 701performs the various processes on the basis of an instruction input fromthe input unit 706 and outputs a process result to the output unit 707,for example.

The storage unit 708 connected to the input and output interface 705 isformed of a hard disk or the like and stores programs and various piecesof data executed by the CPU 701. The communication unit 709 communicateswith an external apparatus via a network such as the Internet and alocal area network.

It should be noted that the example of the apparatus structure shown inFIG. 10 is merely an example, and the entire structure may notnecessarily be provided. The structure having the memory that stores theprogram in which the process sequences described in the above embodimentis recorded, the data processing unit provided with the CPU and the likethat can execute the program, the communication unit, and the like onlyhas to be provided.

It should be noted that the network apparatuses each have hardwareunique to the apparatuses, for example, the hardware structure dependingon the apparatuses such as a TV and a PC.

(8. Conclusion of Structure of Present Disclosure)

In the above, the embodiment of the present disclosure is described indetail with reference to the specific embodiment. It should beunderstood by those skilled in the art that various modifications,combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending ondesign requirements and other factors insofar as they are within thescope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

It should be noted that the present disclosure can take the followingconfigurations.

(1) An electronic apparatus activation control apparatus, including:

a communication unit configured to perform communication via a network;and

a data processing unit configured to output an activation instruction toa network apparatus connected to the network through the communicationunit, the data processing unit recognizing a state transition from anon-active state to an active state of the electronic apparatusactivation control apparatus and outputting the activation instructionto the network apparatus on the basis of recognition of the statetransition.

(2) The electronic apparatus activation control apparatus according toItem (1), in which

the data processing unit periodically performs a state detection of theelectronic apparatus activation control apparatus, and in the case wherethe electronic apparatus activation control apparatus maintains to be inthe active state, periodically outputs the activation instruction to thenetwork apparatus.

(3) The electronic apparatus activation control apparatus according toItem (1) or (2), in which

the data processing unit periodically performs a state detection of theelectronic apparatus activation control apparatus, and when recognizingthat the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus shifts fromthe active state to the non-active state, stops outputting of theactivation instruction to the network apparatus.

(4) The electronic apparatus activation control apparatus according toany one of Items (1) to (3), in which

in the state transition from the non-active state to the active state,the data processing unit determines one of an apparatus and a user thatcauses the state transition, selects the network apparatus to beactivated on the basis of a determination result, and outputs theactivation instruction for activating only the network apparatusselected.

(5) The electronic apparatus activation control apparatus according toany one of Items (1) to (4),

the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus being anillumination switch, in which

the data processing unit recognizes an operation of turning on theillumination switch by a user as the state transition from thenon-active state to the active state of the electronic apparatusactivation control apparatus and outputs the activation instruction tothe network apparatus on the basis of the recognition of the statetransition.

(6) The electronic apparatus activation control apparatus according toany one of Items (1) to (5),

the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus being anillumination switch, in which

the data processing unit recognizes an operation of turning off theillumination switch by a user as the state transition from the activestate to the non-active state of the electronic apparatus activationcontrol apparatus and stops outputting of the activation instruction tothe network apparatus on the basis of the recognition of the statetransition.

(7) The electronic apparatus activation control apparatus according toany one of Items (1) to (4),

the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus being an accesspoint serving as a relay apparatus of a communication apparatus, inwhich

the data processing unit recognizes a detection of the communicationapparatus that performs communication through the access point from acommunication possible area as the state transition from the non-activestate to the active state of the electronic apparatus activation controlapparatus and outputs the activation instruction to the networkapparatus on the basis of the recognition of the state transition.

(8) The electronic apparatus activation control apparatus according toItem (7), in which

the data processing unit identifies the communication apparatus, selectsthe network apparatus to be activated on the basis of an identificationresult, and outputs the activation instruction for activating only thenetwork apparatus selected.

(9) The electronic apparatus activation control apparatus according toany one of Items (1) to (4),

the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus being an accesspoint serving as a relay apparatus of a communication apparatus, inwhich

the data processing unit recognizes a non-detection of the communicationapparatus that performs communication through the access point from acommunication possible area as the state transition from the activestate to the non-active state of the electronic apparatus activationcontrol apparatus and stops outputting of the activation instruction tothe network apparatus on the basis of a recognition of the statetransition.

(10) An electronic apparatus activation control system, including:

a network apparatus connected to a network; and

a network apparatus activation device configured to output an activationinstruction to the network apparatus via the network, the networkapparatus activation device including a communication unit configured toperform communication via the network and a data processing unitconfigured to output the activation instruction to the network apparatusconnected to the network through the communication unit, the dataprocessing unit recognizing a state transition from a non-active stateto an active state of the network apparatus activation device andoutputting the activation instruction to the network apparatus on thebasis of recognition of the state transition.

(11) The electronic apparatus activation control system according toItem (10), in which

in response to reception of the activation instruction from the networkapparatus activation device, the network apparatus performs a transitionprocess from a standby state in which a reception detection of theactivation instruction is possible to an activation state in which anapparatus main operation is possible.

Further, a method for a process performed in the apparatus and systemdescribed above and a program causing the process to be executed arealso included in the structure of the present disclosure.

Furthermore, the series of processes described in the specification canbe performed by hardware, software, or a composite structure of thehardware and software. In the case where the process by the software isperformed, a program in which a process sequence is recorded can beexecuted by being installed in a memory in a computer which isincorporated in dedicated hardware, or the program can be executed bybeing installed in a general-purpose computer that can perform variousprocesses. For example, it is possible to record the program in arecording medium in advance. It is possible to install the program in acomputer from the recording medium, or receive the program via a networksuch as a LAN (local area network) and the Internet and install theprogram in a recording medium such as incorporated hard disk.

It should be noted that the various processes described in thespecification may be performed in chronological order on the basis ofthe description or may be performed in parallel or individually inaccordance with a processing ability of the apparatus that performs theprocesses or when necessary. Further, in the specification, the systemrefers to a logically complex structure of a plurality of apparatuses,and thus the apparatuses of the structure are not limited to be in thesame casing.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the apparatus and the method which perform activationcontrol of the electronic apparatus for achieving power saving andimproving the user's convenience are attained.

Specifically, the network apparatus that is network-connected and thenetwork apparatus activation device that outputs the activationinstruction to the network apparatus are provided. The network apparatusactivation device includes the communication unit that performscommunication via the network and the data processing unit that outputsthe activation instruction to the network. The data processing unitrecognizes the state transition from the non-active state to the activestate of the network apparatus activation device and outputs theactivation instruction to the network apparatus on the basis of therecognition of the state transition. In response to the reception of theactivation instruction, the network apparatus performs the transitionprocess from the standby state in which the reception detection of theactivation instruction is performed to the activation state in which theapparatus main operation can be performed.

With this structure, the apparatus and the method that perform theactivation control for the electronic apparatus for achieving the powersaving and improving the user's convenience are attained.

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosedin Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2012-183377 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Aug. 22, 2012, the entire content of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic apparatus activation controlapparatus, comprising: a communication unit configured to performcommunication via a network; and a data processing unit configured tooutput an activation instruction to a network apparatus connected to thenetwork through the communication unit, the data processing unitrecognizing a state transition from a non-active state to an activestate of the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus andoutputting the activation instruction to the network apparatus on thebasis of recognition of the state transition.
 2. The electronicapparatus activation control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thedata processing unit periodically performs a state detection of theelectronic apparatus activation control apparatus, and in the case wherethe electronic apparatus activation control apparatus maintains to be inthe active state, periodically outputs the activation instruction to thenetwork apparatus.
 3. The electronic apparatus activation controlapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data processing unitperiodically performs a state detection of the electronic apparatusactivation control apparatus, and when recognizing that the electronicapparatus activation control apparatus shifts from the active state tothe non-active state, stops outputting of the activation instruction tothe network apparatus.
 4. The electronic apparatus activation controlapparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the state transition from thenon-active state to the active state, the data processing unitdetermines one of an apparatus and a user that causes the statetransition, selects the network apparatus to be activated on the basisof a determination result, and outputs the activation instruction foractivating only the network apparatus selected.
 5. The electronicapparatus activation control apparatus according to claim 1, theelectronic apparatus activation control apparatus being an illuminationswitch, wherein the data processing unit recognizes an operation ofturning on the illumination switch by a user as the state transitionfrom the non-active state to the active state of the electronicapparatus activation control apparatus and outputs the activationinstruction to the network apparatus on the basis of the recognition ofthe state transition.
 6. The electronic apparatus activation controlapparatus according to claim 1, the electronic apparatus activationcontrol apparatus being an illumination switch, wherein the dataprocessing unit recognizes an operation of turning off the illuminationswitch by a user as the state transition from the active state to thenon-active state of the electronic apparatus activation controlapparatus and stops outputting of the activation instruction to thenetwork apparatus on the basis of the recognition of the statetransition.
 7. The electronic apparatus activation control apparatusaccording to claim 1, the electronic apparatus activation controlapparatus being an access point serving as a relay apparatus of acommunication apparatus, wherein the data processing unit recognizes adetection of the communication apparatus that performs communicationthrough the access point from a communication possible area as the statetransition from the non-active state to the active state of theelectronic apparatus activation control apparatus and outputs theactivation instruction to the network apparatus on the basis of therecognition of the state transition.
 8. The electronic apparatusactivation control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the dataprocessing unit identifies the communication apparatus, selects thenetwork apparatus to be activated on the basis of an identificationresult, and outputs the activation instruction for activating only thenetwork apparatus selected.
 9. The electronic apparatus activationcontrol apparatus according to claim 1, the electronic apparatusactivation control apparatus being an access point serving as a relayapparatus of a communication apparatus, wherein the data processing unitrecognizes a non-detection of the communication apparatus that performscommunication through the access point from a communication possiblearea as the state transition from the active state to the non-activestate of the electronic apparatus activation control apparatus and stopsoutputting of the activation instruction to the network apparatus on thebasis of a recognition of the state transition.
 10. An electronicapparatus activation control system, comprising: a network apparatusconnected to a network; and a network apparatus activation deviceconfigured to output an activation instruction to the network apparatusvia the network, the network apparatus activation device including acommunication unit configured to perform communication via the networkand a data processing unit configured to output the activationinstruction to the network apparatus connected to the network throughthe communication unit, the data processing unit recognizing a statetransition from a non-active state to an active state of the networkapparatus activation device and outputting the activation instruction tothe network apparatus on the basis of recognition of the statetransition.
 11. The electronic apparatus activation control systemaccording to claim 10, wherein in response to reception of theactivation instruction from the network apparatus activation device, thenetwork apparatus performs a transition process from a standby state inwhich a reception detection of the activation instruction is possible toan activation state in which an apparatus main operation is possible.12. The electronic apparatus activation control system according toclaim 11, wherein the network apparatus periodically detects thereception of the activation instruction from the network apparatusactivation device, and when the reception detection of the activationinstruction is stopped in the periodical detection process, performs thetransition process from the activation state to the standby state. 13.An electronic apparatus activation control method performed by anelectronic apparatus activation control apparatus including acommunication unit configured to perform communication via a network,and a data processing unit configured to output an activationinstruction to a network apparatus connected to the network through thecommunication unit, the data processing unit recognizing a statetransition from a non-active state to an active state of the electronicapparatus activation control apparatus and outputting the activationinstruction to the network apparatus on the basis of recognition of thestate transition.
 14. A program causing an electronic apparatusactivation control apparatus to execute an electronic apparatusactivation control process, the electronic apparatus activation controlapparatus including a communication unit configured to performcommunication via a network, and a data processing unit configured tooutput an activation instruction to a network apparatus connected to thenetwork through the communication unit, the program causing the dataprocessing unit to recognize a state transition from a non-active stateto an active state of the electronic apparatus activation controlapparatus and output the activation instruction to the network apparatuson the basis of recognition of the state transition.